Java engineer VS Network Admin

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DellUser630

New Member
I've become increasingly interested in working with computers recently since i've been working as an office assistant at an IT Company. I've taken a couple of online classes for networking and it seems like something i could be interested in. I have also heard a lot about Java and C++, which are for creating and running programs, correct? I'm a big noob with Java, and semi noob with networking. Which career choice would you prefer? Which is more interesting, easier to understand? I'll most likely go back to a tech/community school and enroll in some classes. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks~
 
DellUser630 said:
I've become increasingly interested in working with computers recently since i've been working as an office assistant at an IT Company. I've taken a couple of online classes for networking and it seems like something i could be interested in. I have also heard a lot about Java and C++, which are for creating and running programs, correct? I'm a big noob with Java, and semi noob with networking. Which career choice would you prefer? Which is more interesting, easier to understand? I'll most likely go back to a tech/community school and enroll in some classes. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks~
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People on here are definitely going to have different preferences. I do programming (with Java actually) as I like it over networking. I don't mind it I suppose, but when it comes to PC's and whatnot I really prefer them on a personal level. To be success in programming, of course I'll need to be able to program server/client programs as well, but it's still programming to me.

As for job availability, you have plenty in both, though more so in programming. Pretty any and every company needs software developers now. (Then again, all companies need their buildings networked and whatnot).

You are going to see a similar salary for either, as well. I don't know. It's really just about the one you enjoy more. Take a programming class, or just try it on your own. I really do like it a lot better.
 
thanks for the excellent response. I appreciate the time youve put in to answer it. This gives me much better clarity into the field.
 
I believe your going to have a higher learning curve with the programming courses over the networking courses. I do not work in IT yet, but I am working on it. For me networking was easier since I was thrown into a programming course which was more advanced and I had no clue what I was doing.

That was programing with core logic and algorithms. I passed it, but do not see how.
 
The best way is to simply try both.After that you will know what you like more and you will do that.
Programming is also a lot harder than being a network admin.
But both things are good.

I personally like programming a lot more.C# and C++ are my favorite.
 
I prefer networking, mainly because I don't enjoy sitting in a cubicle writing code on a computer all day, I enjoy moving around to different sites, troubleshooting hardware/software issues, installing new devices/servers/clients, etc.
 
WRXGuy1 said:
I prefer networking, mainly because I don't enjoy sitting in a cubicle writing code on a computer all day, I enjoy moving around to different sites, troubleshooting hardware/software issues, installing new devices/servers/clients, etc.
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You are right about that lol.Writing code all day can sometimes be exhausting :P
One hour from now as I am writing this I need to continue on my UAC project which has more than 700 pages full of programming code.I need to add/fix few things and it is going to be an extreme torture considering that those SMALL DETAILS will take me more than 6 hours lol.

So yea I agree that writing code all day is not always great.But what is great is that once you finish the software,you can sell it unlimited number of times :D
 
This is the main reason I never had a real concentration on my A.A. degree, just IT. That way I was able to take courses covering just about everything in IT. Web design is pretty easy since I've done that before and have CS5, the class used CS4 but it's almost the same.

For networking I will agree, I am a hands on person. I do not see myself sitting around in a cube day in and day out even if I sit in front of my computer at home most days. Albeit I limit the amount of time I spend sitting in the warm summer days, as I am outside working with my hands :D

It's just a matter of personal preference, your the one who will have to attend the classes, pay for them, and be stuck either in a cube or running around like a rabbit pushing/pulling cables and setting up networks.
 
i've pretty much decided on networking now from your responses. I'm definitely a hands on person as well and I think sitting around in a cubicle all day just to fix some small codes would be super tedious. Time to start studying. I appreciate the input guys!
 
DellUser630 said:
i've pretty much decided on networking now from your responses. I'm definitely a hands on person as well and I think sitting around in a cubicle all day just to fix some small codes would be super tedious. Time to start studying. I appreciate the input guys!
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Pfft. You know, not every programmer sits in a cubicle. That's just one of those cliche things.
 
Troncoso said:
Pfft. You know, not every programmer sits in a cubicle. That's just one of those cliche things.
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Yes it's an exaggeration, you could be sitting at a desk, in a conference room, at home, on a plane, whatever. Point being you are sitting pretty much all day ;)
 
So I have my BA in Sociology, I was going for the whole cop thing. Now im interested in computers. I've heard a lot about taking the CompTIA A+ Exam before anything. I was thinking about reading an A+ study guide, taking the exam, then reading the Cisco book and taking that exam, and enrolling in a Tech School, getting an Associates degree in Neworking/Security. Would that be a good route to take for networking admin? What about being a programmer? Do i really need a Computer Science degree? Can I teach myself javascript and prove my abilities to employers? I'm so new to this field but it is very fascinating.
 
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